Soon after ten, however, our guest came
down and apologized very nicely - said that the bed was so very
delightful be simply could not leave it. Right there I made a mental
resolution to the effect that if ever a big Englishman should come to
my house to remain overnight, I would have just one hour of delight
taken from that bed!
To my great amusement, also pleasure. Captain Percival ate heartily of
everything, and kept on eating, and with such apparent relish I began
to think that possibly it might be another case of "delight," and
finally to wonder if Hang had anything in reserve. Once he said, "What
excellent cooks you have here!" This made Miss Mills smile, for she
knew that Hang had been loaned out the evening before. Faye soon left
us to attend to matters in connection with the trip, but the three of
us were having a very merry time - for Captain Percival was a most
charming man - when in the room came Captain Chater, his face as black
as the proverbial thundercloud, and after speaking to me, looked
straight and reprovingly at Captain Percival and said, "You are
keeping his excellency waiting!" That was like a bomb to all, and in
two seconds the English captains had shaken hands and were gone.
The mounted police are still in the post, and I suspect that this is
because their commander is having such a pleasant time driving and
dining with his hostess, who is one of our most lovely and fascinating
women. I received a note from Faye this morning from Helena. He says
that so far the trip has been delightful, and that in every way and by
all he is being treated as an honored guest. Lord Lome declined a
large reception in Helena, because the United States is in mourning
for its murdered President. What an exquisite rebuke to some of our
ignorant Americans! Faye writes that Lord Lome and members of his
staff are constantly speaking in great praise of the officers' wives
at Shaw, and have asked if the ladies throughout the Army are as
charming and cultured as those here.
Our young horses are really very handsome now, and their red coats are
shining from good grooming and feeding. They are large, and perfectly
matched in size, color, and gait, as they should be, since they are
half brothers. I am learning to drive now, a single horse, and find it
very interesting - but not one half as delightful as riding - I miss a
saddle horse dreadfully. Now and then I ride George - my own horse - but
he always reminds me that his proper place is in the harness, by
making his gait just as rough as possible.
FORT SHAW, MONTANA TERRITORY,
December, 1881.
YOU will be greatly surprised to hear that Faye has gone to
Washington!
